OMEGA | A STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH REGISTERSREF 145.022 MVT 39181251 NO 342 SPEEDMASTER APOLLO-SOYUZ CIRCA 1975

Movement: cal.861 manual winding lever, 17 jewels, stainless steel dust cap Case: stainless steel, lyre lugs, black bezel with tachymeter scale, screw-down back with Apollo-Soyuz emblem Dial: black, luminescent baton indexes Bracelet/Clasp/Buckle: associated Diameter: 39mm, bracelet circumference approx. 190mm  Signed: case, dial and movement Accessories: Extract of the Archives confirming delivery to Italy in 1976

CASE: with scuffs and scratching throughout, particularly to lugs. dent to the band at 9. Scratches to case back where the watch has been opened. Chronograph pushers are 5mm later replacement. DIAL: in good condition, some loss of luminescent material from the indexes, the chronograph hand later replaced. MOVEMENT: running at the time of cataloguing. Chronograph functioning. The watch has not been tested to determine the accuracy of its timekeeping. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and that a service may be required at the buyer's discretion.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Amidst the Cold War era, on the 15th of July 1975, the American and Soviet space teams joined forces and embarked on the historical Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP).
On July 17th, the ambitious mission resulted in a successful docking of the American Apollo and Soviet Soyuz spacecrafts. This international achievement was then commemorated the following year by Omega who issued a limited series of 400 special Speedmaster timepieces targeted at the Italian market.

The well preserved dial of the present piece bears the mission emblem painted on the dial without the Speedmaster Professional inscriptions and long hour markers crossing the outer minute track. 

The exclusive Apollo-Soyuz watches were distributed by Fratelli De Marchi in Turin, the sole Italian distributor at the time, whose very rare custom bracelet is still mounted on the present watch today.

The offered timepiece bears the number 342 on its caseback, flanked by the circled “I” (standing for the Italian market) and Omega logo. Furthermore, the special engraving of the Saturn IB American launching vehicle can be seen over a world map background. This treasured Speedmaster accommodates a set of larger 5.5 mm pushers and a modified caseband which differentiate it from the regular ref. 145.022 models. As for all the examples of this limited series, the present Speedmaster example utilises a cal. 861 numbered between 39.180.XX and 39.181.XXX.

Instantly recognisable among collectors, the Apollo-Soyuz Speedmaster is the second limited edition ever released by Omega.